Sports43 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2013 Concussions in forefront as NFL season opens WASHINGTON: The NFL is accused of hid- More than 4,500 former players had go do something that’s great for the game Lynch said. “But I think the notion that this ing what it knew about players’ head sued the league, accusing it of concealing and great for the people and get the help is done now and we can move on is not injuries. The players’ union is getting sec- the long-term dangers of concussions and to the people that need it.’” really the reality.” While neither player was ond-guessed for not taking safety more rushing players back onto the field. They Three days after the settlement was part of the original lawsuit, both have seriously. And another judge is getting settled last Thursday after two months of announced, four other former players filed experience with blows to the head. familiar with all the legal arguments. Not court-ordered mediation. Approval of a a federal lawsuit in New Orleans against Lynch was a hard-hitting safety in the way the league wanted to kick off a federal judge is required before it takes the league and helmet maker Riddell, Tampa Bay and Denver from 1993 through season. The debate over concussions and a effect. The NFL doesn’t have to acknowl- claiming they hid information about the 2007. Aikman won three Super Bowls with $765 million settlement with former play- edge that it hid information about injuries. dangers of brain injuries. The lawsuit on the Cowboys during the 1990s, but his 12- ers is still front-and-center as the defend- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defend- behalf of Jimmy Williams, Rich Mauti, year career ended prematurely in part ing Super Bowl champion Baltimore ed the settlement on Wednesday in his first Jimmy Keyes and Nolan Franz wants med- because of repeated concussions. Lynch Ravens get ready to open the season in public comments since it was announced. ical care for past, current and future NFL and Aikman said they feel “great” and have Denver on Thursday night. Goodell appeared at an event in players. During a conference call on shown no symptoms of long-term dam- Sure, the settlement gives former play- Manhattan promoting the Super Bowl in Wednesday highlighting Fox Sports’ cover- age. Aikman was recently tested in Dallas, ers immediate help with their medical bills. the area next February. age for the season, former Super Bowl with good results. A drawn-out court fight was avoided. And “I don’t know how it’s going to be champions Troy Aikman and John Lynch While Aikman believes the settlement safety is a bigger concern than ever in the remembered,” Goodell said of the settle- agreed that the league has more work to will help the former players with the most league. Yet, the back-and-forth goes ment. “I know what its effect is going to be, do on head injuries. immediate need, he called the end result a unabated with so many questions unan- which is going to provide help for the play- Aikman wants the NFL to divulge more “win” for the NFL. “It’s a lot of money, but I swered. “You can say it’s Pandora’s box ers and the families that have cognitive details about what it knew about the long- think in terms of what could have been that’s been opened,” former NFL quarter- issues. There’s a fund - $765 million - that’s term impact of repeated blows to the paid, it’s not that much,” Aikman said. “I back Boomer Esiason said on the eve of the there for players and their families who head. Lynch expects more litigation. “What think probably in the big scheme of things, season opener, “but they are trying to find need it. And that’s a good thing. “Rather I’m happy about is that there are players it’s a real positive. These guys will be able solutions. As a former player, I’m thankful than litigating for years, the owners, the that need it (the money) and need it now, to benefit some and some money will be they’re doing that.” NFL, and frankly the plaintiffs, all said, ‘Let’s and they’re going to be taken care of,” put into research, which will help. —AP Young N Zealand Springboks lay siege forwards put to test against Pumas to Brisbane fortress AUCKLAND: The performance of two young All Blacks forwards against Argentina in their Rugby Championship clash tomor- SYDNEY: South Africa, with little fanfare, thing they’ll look for is that their back that’s been working for them. “I don’t row should go a long way to help clarify the make up of the have constructed an eight-match winning three is very good under the high ball so think there’s any confusion about how team as they look ahead to the 2015 World Cup. Tighthead streak over the last 11 months but to they know how we’re going to play and they go about it. Their formula works for prop Charlie Faumuina has come into the side for the injured extend it to nine they will need to manufac- we know how they’re going to play.” them so that’s how they do it, that’s the Owen Franks, for his third start in his 10th test, while rookie ture a first ever win over Australia at Springbok way. “We’re in the process of Steven Luatua has been given the opportunity to cement the Brisbane’s Lang Park this weekend. The FORMULA working on how we want to do it - the blindside flanker role after two impressive starts against Springboks opened their Rugby McKenzie agreed with Meyer that there Australian way - but it’s a bit different so Australia. Both should face a massive battle in Hamilton that Championship campaign with back-to- would be few surprises. “I think that you’ve got a clash of rugby approaches starts at 1935 (0735 GMT) against a Pumas pack that is back victories over Argentina and while the they’ve been pretty consistent with how but that’s just the way it is.” renowned for their physicality and powerful scrum with second was far less convincing than the they’ve played the game, so there’s a lot of Meyer has changed his own back three Faumuina going to be under immense pressure from the expe- first, they arrived in Australia ranked num- certainty about how they go about their with fullback Zane Kirchner deployed for rienced Marcos Ayerza. “The challenge is to get a good hit with ber two in the world and ready for business. business,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of the first time this year after he recovered a non-existent gap and to keep the co-ordination of the eight,” The Wallabies, by contrast, have slid to experienced players in key positions so from a hand injury.— Reuters Ayerza told the New Zealand Herald yesterday about the new fourth in the world, lost their first two engagement rules that puts greater emphasis on scrummaging. matches of the tournament to New “I am in favor of the positive scrums. The rules before this were Zealand and then their captain James making not very good props, not very positive props.” Horwill to a hamstring injury yesterday. The rangy Luatua has impressed against the Wallabies but South Africa still go into tomorrow’s test will find it tougher task against the Pumas forwards, who have (kickoff 1105 GMT) as underdogs by virtue inspirational captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe back from of their relatively poor record on the road injury. The Pumas were hammered 73-13 in their first clash but and having lost all seven matches against resorted to a tight and physical battle of attrition in Mendoza, Australia at the arena where Wallabies which prompted allegations of foul play. Number eight Leandro coach Ewen McKenzie enjoyed the Super Senatore was later suspended for nine weeks after he was Rugby success that earned him his job. found guilty of biting in the 22-17 loss, though fellow loose for- Still looking for his first win, McKenzie ward Pablo Matera was cleared of eye-gouging. has restored his former Queensland Reds charge Quade Cooper to the starting fly- FOUL PLAY? half position after preferring Matt Toomua All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, refused to add fuel against the world champions. to the discussion and channeled former captain Tana Umaga Back in tandem with scrumhalf Will declaring international rugby was not “tiddlywinks” when asked Genia, who will captain the side in about foul play. “They were playing South Africa so they would Horwill’s absence, Cooper will be expected have been giving as much as they were giving. It’s always a to ignite a backline that largely failed to physical game and it will be physical tomorrow,” Hansen said fire against the All Blacks. To counter the yesterday. “We’re not playing tiddlywinks so every now and then expected aerial barrage from the people probably do things they don’t want to do. In the heat of Springboks, McKenzie has rejigged his the battle it happens. back three by moving Israel Folau to full- “I don’t think they’re a dirty team. That’s what everyone is try- back, putting the hulking Nick Cummins ing to imply. I don’t think they are.” The Pumas have named on one wing and retaining James what is essentially their strongest side with inspirational captain O’Connor on the other.